Six-foot killer python found by kids in Walker

A SIX-FOOT snake capable of killing a child was found on the streets of Tyneside before a lad caught it in a pillowcase.

The rock python, nicknamed Claus, was found by children in an alleyway in Walker, Newcastle

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A SIX-FOOT snake capable of killing a child was found on the streets of Tyneside before a lad caught it in a pillowcase.

The African rock python was discovered in an alleyway where children were poking it with sticks.

But one lad scooped up the reptile and took it to his local pet store, where startled staff quickly realised the man-eater they had on their hands.

It is thought the snake has either escaped from someone’s home or has grown too large or vicious and was dumped close to the back lane in Walker, Newcastle, where it was found.

Steve Brooks, owner of Dragons Den on Stephenson Street in nearby Heaton, said it was the first time he’d seen one of the creatures, other than in pictures and on TV shows like Deadly 60.

“We do get a few corn snakes brought in, often by parents whose children have gone to university and they can’t care for them anymore, but we’ve not had anything like this,” said Mr Brooks, 32, from Wallsend.

“The lad, who looked about 12, said he found other lads hitting it, so he took it off them and when he saw the size of it he brought it here.

“As soon as we opened the bag it was trying to bite us – if my assistant Wayne had more of a belly it would have got him.

“We’ve put it in a tank in a store room and when you go in you often hear a thump behind you as it tries to bite at you through the glass.

“To be honest we’re surprised it hasn’t smashed through, it hits it so hard,” said Mr Brooks, his hand going blue as “Claus” – nicknamed after an evil vampire in TV show The Vampire Diaries – tightened her grip on his arm.

“Now we’re just interested to know if anyone knows its origin.”

Helen Coen, a spokeswoman for the RSPCA, said snake-related call-outs were relatively common for city animal control officers.

“We get calls about snakes in the Newcastle area roughly once a month, though they’re not usually anything as big as a python,” she said.